The neverending products and modalities of cannabis are some of the benefits of cannabis legalization. Tincture THC has been there all along. Certain products fall naturally into recreational use territory, while others are considered more therapeutic. Tincture often falls into the medicinal and wellness categories, but it can be used for fun, too.
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Tinctures are cannabis in droplet form, but what makes up the liquid drops may vary. At the root, every tincture is an extraction using cannabis flower, a solvent like alcohol or glycerin, and time. If the tincture is glycerin-based, heat is also required. The solvent slowly strips the cannabinoids like THC and CBD from the plant material, absorbing it into the liquid agent. The resulting liquid gold is referred to as a tincture.
Tincture packaging indicators share the cannabinoids and compounds within, how the product is made, and more. High-quality tinctures may be glycerin or alcohol-based, THC or CBD tinctures. The most important aspect of these products is that they are made with high-quality cannabis.
There is no excuse for using moldy, rotten, or otherwise not good buds–even in tincture. The power of the medicine depends on the quality of the weed it is made with. As for alcohol, grain alcohol will do. Glycerin is also inexpensive.
Making this weed product at home is easy. Grab a few supplies, find a nice place in the pantry, and get to it.
Making cannabis tincture
There are many ratios of cannabis to the solvent used for making tincture, but the method remains the same.
Gear:
- Mason jar with a secure lid
- Baking sheet
- Cheesecloth
- Container for finished product
- Strainer
Supplies:
- Two cups vegetable glycerin or grain alcohol
- One ounce of ground cannabis
Directions:
- Decarboxylate cannabis in the oven to activate the THCA into THC.
- Place the decarbed cannabis into a 16-ounce jar.
- Pour the chosen solvent over the ground-up herb.
- Shake it up to ensure it is all mixed together, with no dry pockets left in the flower.
- Store the tightly closed jar in a cool, dark place for two to four weeks. Shake it daily to help the solvents do their magic.
- After enough time has passed, line a strainer with cheesecloth and place it over the final container.
- Pour the contents carefully into the strainer, aiming for the jar.
- Squeeze the plant matter to get every bit of tincture THC out of the bud and into the tincture container.
- Store in a cool, dry place. Look out for cloudiness or rancid smells, which indicates the product may not be good any longer.
Making tinctures is simple. Many enjoy adding additional herbs to their homemade weed drops. Chamomile flowers may help reduce stress or feverfew leaves could relieve nausea. The beauty of doing it at home is that the end product can sometimes be cheaper and tailored to consumer needs.
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When to use cannabis tinctures
This form of cannabis is common among patients as it is one of the more effective and uniform delivery methods available today. Tincture THC is generally consumed by dropping liquid under the tongue and letting it soak in. This is beneficial for multiple reasons.
Sublingual drug delivery can boast faster onset times with three to 10 times greater absorption than oral administration thanks to the membrane of the skin under the tongue. This is because sublingual delivery bypasses the digestive system, including the liver. Product effects can kick in in 15 to 30 minutes, faster than edible products.
Edible weed efficacy and onset time can be impacted by these things. If the liver is unhealthy, it may have trouble processing cannabinoids. Also, stomach acid burns off terpenes. Neither of these is an issue with tincture THC. All of the good stuff is circulated by blood vessels rather than traveling through the digestive system because it is absorbed through the cheeks and mouth.
This absorption rate is only beaten by hypodermic injection. Letting it seep in under the tongue is also ideal for patients having trouble swallowing, which can happen to those with nervous system, muscle, or brain disorders.
Aside from their medical uses, tincture is also versatile. Cannabis mixologists appreciate its liquid form for dropping cannabinoids into mocktail shakers. Similarly, weed-focused chefs utilize the products to precisely infuse meals.
Tinctures are great for patients and recreational consumers. The efficacy, versatility, and long-lasting products serve various needs and uses–provided a person chooses the right product.
Types of weed tinctures
People who consume cannabis regularly may know the terms full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate. But most beginners will need a crash course on this vital weed vocabulary.
Full spectrum
Full-spectrum cannabis products are for people who want a product that most closely resembles the chemical composition of the plant. The directions above for making tincture would produce a full spectrum result. This means no cannabinoid has been removed or altered, and the tincture contains all the compounds the plant released.
Broad spectrum
Broad spectrum tinctures are often THC-free. This is attractive to people who do not want a psychoactive experience or who are drug-tested for cannabis. Broad-spectrum oils and tinctures generally only contain CBD, CBN, and/or CBG. Those who need to test cannabis-free may still opt out, as there is no guarantee products do not have residual THC.
Isolate
While broad-spectrum products may have trace amounts of THC, most isolate tinctures will be completely void of anything but the cannabinoid on their label. This has led to some speculation about their efficacy, as the cannabis plant thrives under a notion called the entourage effect. TLDR; all cannabinoids work together to help the body reach equilibrium. As the theory goes, if you remove one or more of these compounds, the plant’s efficacy plummets.
Isolate does not only remove THC it also isolates and dumps any terpenes or other probably vital parts of the pot. This extract has its pluses, but many would steer patients toward fuller spectrum options.
Dosing tinctures
Finding the right tincture THC dose is the same as locating the ideal amount of an infused edible or weed drink. The beauty of tinctures is that they often come with a dropper lined by the milliliter (mL). This amount is matched against the milligrams (mg) labeled on the package to identify how many cannabinoids are in each mL.
Calculating the ideal dose of a product starts with a bit of testing. Take two to five mg of THC and the other cannabinoids to start. Wait two hours before deciding that it is too little and consuming more. Keep eating two to five more mgs until equilibrium is reached. That amount is the ideal dose.
Tincture THC frequently asked questions
There is much to learn about cannabis products, tincture included. These are the most frequently asked tincture questions and their answers.
How long do tinctures take to kick in?
Most people feel the effects of tincture THC 15 to 30 minutes after taking it.
Do tinctures expire?
Alcohol tinctures have an unlimited shelf life, most recommend throwing these away after ten years. Monitor tinctures by looking for a rancid smell or cloudiness. Glycerin tinctures may stay viable for three to five years. Look for any recommended expiration dates and always follow those over other rules of thumb.
How long should someone hold cannabis tincture under their tongue?
Hold the tincture under the tongue for 30 to 45 seconds, refraining from swallowing the liquid.
Cannabis tincture is not only for medical patients
There are many uses for tincture, a versatile cannabis product that is not only easy to make but fast to kick in. The liquid drops can be full spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate, with varying cannabinoids and even added herbs for a guided effect. No matter the tincture, they will all promise a faster onset than edibles without gut or liver function playing a role.
Though many remain focused on the ever-present cannabis gummy or even THC pills, consumers should not sleep on the power of tinctures.
